Dengue Outbreak Hits Alajuela and Puntarenas

Costa Rica News – For those people living in Costa Rica, please take notice and try to protect yourself from mosquitoes carrying the dengue virus. An outbreak of dengue is effecting residents of several districts in the cantons of Alajuela and Puntarenas.

In the case of Puntarenas, there are more cases in Barranca and peninsular districts of Lepanto and Paquera Cóbano.

The warning comes from the Directorate of Health Surveillance, Ministry of Health.

In the case of Alajuela, the epidemiological bulletin reports that there were 252 recorded cases from January 1st to August 11th.

In fact, the record indicates that there has been “an increase in recent weeks” in that city.

“The situation is in the southern suburbs, but the details should be given by the health area,” said Jose Luis Garces, Health Surveillance officer of the Ministry.

Among those most affected are in Rio Segundo Alajuela, La Garita, oak, Guácima, Turrúcares and San Rafael.

In addition, the ministry of health realized that a dengue outbreak continues in Barranca de Puntarenas (410 total cases) and peninsular district of Lepanto, and Paquera Cóbano (707 cases in total).

By August 11, the date of the last report, the ministry of health recorded a total of 6387 confirmed cases of dengue across the country.

The province is the most affected country Limón, which accounts for 50% of total dengue infected, health officials confirmed.

On cases of DHF, recorded nine affected, from January to date.

The Ministry of Health and promoted campaigns to collect tires and other waste in the provinces of Limon, Puntarenas and Guanacaste.

Dengue fever is caused by one of four different but related viruses. It is spread by the bite of mosquitoes, most commonly the mosquito Aedes aegypti.

Dengue fever begins with a sudden high fever, often as high as 104 – 105 degrees Fahrenheit, 4 to 7 days after the infection.

A flat, red rash may appear over most of the body 2 – 5 days after the fever starts. A second rash, which looks like the measles, appears later in the disease. Infected people may have increased skin sensitivity and are very uncomfortable.